The Use Of Figurative Language In Fire And Ice By Robert Frost

The use of figurative language is what keep poems interesting. Learning different literary terms to be able to point out figurative language will make the understanding of the poem easier. Symbols, allegory, paradox, overstatement, understatement, and irony are all forms of figurative language. Depending on the poem, figurative language is portrayed in different ways. Although the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost is a short poem, it is full of figurative language. Frost uses symbolism and understatement. A symbol is something that has a meaning that is more than what it appears to be. This is shown when the poet uses fire as a symbol for desire and ice has a symbol for hate. Understatement is when a thought or action is minimized. This could be true in the line of the poem that says “and suffice”. This shows the poet minimizing the power of hatred and its ability to be destructive.

“Barbie Doll” is a symbol for what society expects from young girls. This symbol is shown when the girl in the poem cannot live up to the standards of a barbie doll and takes her own life. Another use of figurative language in the poem is Irony. Irony is saying something that has a meaning beyond its actual use as a figure of speech. Irony is shown when the poet portrays a happy ending when the girl dies. In this poem, it could be a happy ending for her because, she will no longer deal with the judgment of others. Generally someone dying is not a happy ending, proving the irony in the